The Miami Grand Prix circuit has been compared to Baku and a Formula E track ahead of this weekend’s inaugural race.
Built on the grounds around Hard Rock Stadium, the 5.4km layout features 19 corners, three DRS zones and a longest straight of 1.2km approaching Turn 17.
The first sector mostly consists of medium-speed turns, sector two is highlighted by a twisty stadium-style area going under several flyovers and a small tunnel and the final sector is where most of the overtaking is expected to happen on the run to Turn 17.
“It’s going to be exciting, there is a lot to discover for us,” Alpine driver Esteban Ocon said. “We had a great prep in the sim last week.
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“We saw a track which is a little like Baku in parts but has also very fast corners on the other side. It’s a very complete track.
“I think the show is going to be great, there’s going to be some good overtakes. Hopefully, we can get to the front.”
Fellow Frenchman Pierre Gasly echoed Ocon in citing the potential for plenty of action on race day.
“Although it will be important to qualify well in Miami, I think it should be possible to overtake there,” he said.
“But there are some races like Imola coming up, in Spain and Monaco, where qualifying has far greater importance and having a good Saturday is the key.
The Miami International Autodrome ?
Onboard the @mercedesamg Safety Car ?#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/dVYQxErgkq
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2022
“I’ve driven Miami on the simulator. I think I did around 130 laps and it looks as though it could be a really fun track to drive with high-speed corners and some sections that are very slow and technical with long straights, so I reckon it could be a great race.
“I like the fun side of racing in the States, as the organisers always try and do something special in terms of entertainment to keep the crowd happy,” the AlphaTauri driver added.
“I spend quite a bit of time in the States, and I try and take in some of their popular sports, such as the NBA, the NFL and hockey. Every time I go, I am amazed at how they create a special energy, a special atmosphere which is incredible.
“I think they are planning something along those lines for Miami to make it a stand-out event.
“My main hope is that we can continue to score points in every race and from my point of view, get back into the good rhythm we had in the first three races and forget about the Imola weekend.”
One of the more unique aspects of the Miami circuit is a sequence of tight corners under two flyovers, including a small tunnel.
And Gasly’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda had an interesting way to describe it.
“I have driven the track on the simulator and the first two sectors are quite fast with some medium and high-speed corners,” he explained.
“Sector 3 is what I call a ‘Formula E sector’ with a lot of very tight corners and I think overall it looks like being quite an interesting track to drive.”